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    The NFC West, Now and Later

    By JOHN SCHAEFER,
    AOL Sports
    Posted: 2008-07-02 11:04:48
    Filed Under: NFL, Sports
    AOL Sports continues its look at how the eight NFL divisions currently stand, while trying to figure out how their key storylines will play oout. Next up is the NFC West. The Cardinals and 49ers were recent chic picks to unseat the Seahawks, only to fall flat. Is this the year that Seattle finally gets dethroned?

    More Divisional Previews
    AFC West | NFC North | AFC North | NFC South | AFC South


    NFC West Storylines

    Matt LeinartMatt York, AP

    It's time for Matt Leinart to get serious about his career. Don't count on him showing much improvement this season, however.

    1 of 5PHOTOS

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    NFC West Storylines Now

    Seattle has won four straight division titles. A fifth would serve as a going-away present for Mike Holmgren, who has already said this will be his last season as coach. His farewell tour might turn out to be a major distraction ... If it's summer, then it must be time for observers to proclaim the Cardinals as the sleeper team to watch. If talented Arizona is to wake up and finally live up to its promise, it needs Matt Leinart to generate Kurt Warner-like production without all the turnovers ... San Francisco seemed poised to contend for the playoffs last year after a strong finish in 2006, but a putrid offense instead had Mike Nolan on the hot seat. He gets another chance by the Bay, and new offensive coordinator Mike Martz could be what the Niners need to wake up their slumbering attack ... Remember when the Rams were the Greatest Show on Turf? Now they are little more than a Rocky Horror Football Show. Still, a healthy Marc Bulger should stabilize the offense, and rookie Chris Long has the talent to make a big impact on St. Louis' dreadful defense.

    NFC West Storylines Later

    The Seahawks won't let something like Holmgren's lameduck status affect them. The addition of Julius Jones will give the running game a needed boost, and the underrated Lofa Tatupu leads a defense that was sixth in points allowed per game last year. Seattle is clearly the team to beat in the NFC West and it will finish '08 with its crown resting comfortably on its head ... There are good reasons the jury remains out on Leinart as a pro. He has been injury prone in his brief career and he seems more intent on being an all-star party boy than an All-Pro quarterback. The pressure is on in what could be his final year in the desert. Don't look for him to turn his career around any time soon ... Frank Gore came on strong at the end of last season for San Francisco. He remains the key to the 49ers' fortunes. Gore could crack the 1,500-yard barrier in '08, which could propel the Niners into the playoff hunt ... St. Louis has the potential to emerge as the surprise team of this season. Why? The defense showed signs in 2007 of turning the corner, and the addition of Long could be significant. A healthy Bulger should help improve an unsightly minus-10 turnover margin. And don't forget that Steven Jackson still is one of the most feared weapons in the game. The playoffs probably won't happen, but a .500 record is certainly within reach.

    How NFC West Stacks Up Now

    1. Seahawks
    2. Cardinals
    3. 49ers
    4. Rams

    How NFC West Will Stack Up Later

    1. Seahawks
    2. Cardinals
    3. 49ers
    4. Rams



    2008-05-29 17:09:58


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    Recent Comments

    1 - 9 of 9
    9 comments

    mdoc21 09:34:10 PM Jul 06 2008

    Niners to shake up the WORLD! New atttitude and Frank Gore --he"s a bad man!BC

    agawan 08:55:02 AM Jul 04 2008

    Sorry, Seahawks have no chance this year, watch the 49'ers. They will be tough. As far as the Cradinals, just no luck there at all, they scare no one.

    sooper7maaan 10:48:03 AM Jul 03 2008

    Is the NFC West a real division?

    uofapret1 11:30:59 PM Jul 02 2008

    My God, anyone who has ever followed the Cards knows that the only hope this team has is false hope. A cursed franchise with no chance for success unless you count the NFL TV dollars that ownership banks on a yearly basis. A joke. If this were a normal business climate, this team would have been liquidated decades ago.

    eagles8707 07:57:56 PM Jul 02 2008

    This had to be the easiest division to decide. Seattle is just so much more talented than the others.

    njlonelytrain 11:59:12 AM Jul 02 2008

    SEAHAWKS ROCK! everyone else sucks

    mrjgoodtimes5 06:37:03 PM Jul 01 2008

    go oaktown

    showlow2008 06:31:58 PM Jul 01 2008

    Good luck to the Cardnals in 2008, they will need it!

    showlow2008 06:31:28 PM Jul 01 2008

    Go Cardnals!

    1 - 9 of 9
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